John McCain will woo conservatives and independents with an upbeat message lauding Reagan-era economic values and a pledge to defeat Islamic extremism, strategists say.

"He has tremendous momentum coming out of this race, and we'll be out talking about the two issues that Americans care most about, which is winning the war against radical Islamic extremism ... and the economy," Steve Schmidt, McCain's key strategist said at a party celebrating McCain's win.

In the weeks ahead, advisers say he will try to use a strong national security message and an appeal to conservative Reaganite principles of low taxation and small government to win over disaffected conservatives alienated by his willingness to support unpopular issues such as immigration reform.

Will he repudiate McCain-Feingold? Or his opposition to the Cornyn Amendment?

Here are the Senators who voted against the Cornyn amendment , which would have established a permanent bar for gang members, terrorists, and other criminals looking to snag a shamnesty visa. Republicans underlined:

Never forget McCain not only pushed the amnesty bill, he refused to allow exclusions for the worst of the lot. And he unloaded his infamous temper on his mild-mannered senate colleague for having the audacity to introduce this amendment.

While I regret some of you may be annoyed by what you feel is spamming this message on campaign threads, it is an important message on a key vote which needs to get out. Therefore, I've got to go with the overwhelming majority who is supportive.

3
posted on 01/30/2008 9:44:58 AM PST
by Vigilanteman
(Are there any men left in Washington? Or are there only cowards? Ahmad Shah Massoud)

Maybe it’s just his delivery during the debates (ho hum), but I don’t remember anything John McCain has said about the economy. Also, the only thing I remember about the WOT is “chase OBL to the ends of the earth” talk and “I didn’t support Rumsfeld when only my friends the democrats were doing that”. Did I miss something?

Not this conservative. If he’s the nominee I ain’t voting. He’s no better than what we’d get from the Democrats so why bother. If this country has to go down the tubes I’d rather a Democrat was responsible.

Go ahead and flame away. But you’ll have to convince me McCain is even a speck better than a Democrat. And you’ll never succeed.

But there was one subject that was off-limits, a subject the Arizona senator almost never brings up and has never been open about -- his long-time opposition to releasing documents and information about American prisoners of war in Vietnam and the missing in action who have still not been accounted for. Since McCain himself, a downed Navy pilot, was a prisoner in Hanoi for 5 1/2 years, his staunch resistance to laying open the POW/MIA records has baffled colleagues and others who have followed his career. Critics say his anti-disclosure campaign, in close cooperation with the Pentagon and the intelligence community, has been successful. Literally thousands of documents that would otherwise have been declassified long ago have been legislated into secrecy.

Personally I think this election is in the bag for democrats anyway. It really kind of frees me to vote however I see fit and Im thinking write in this time out.

I agree. I just posted on another thread that I'd consider a third-party candidate (no, Ron Paul is NOT an option). But I don't see any potential third-party candidates who seem amenable, or that I'd consider.

I’m in the Republican Party until after the primaries, but not in spirit or belief, and certainly not with my pocket book. After the primaries, I’ll be one of those independents McCain wants, but he won’t get my vote.

If Republican voters don't wake up before next Tuesday it will be all over for America.

Florida may not be representative of all future primaries. McCain scored because of Hispanics and seniors, many of whom are veterans. Their numbers may not be as great elsewhere. There's still some hope, but it's dissipating fast.

I am form Ohio. DeWine lost because he was a McCaniac and was not a solid conservative. He did much to help Voinovich destroy the Ohio Republican position by moving further and further to the left. With Voinovich not up or election till 2010 or 2012 we can’t clean house there as yet.

The great discussion we will have if McCain is the candidate will be which Liberal do we want in the White House. Hillary or McCain. We already have a weak George Bush who has damaged the first and second amendment, created new entitlements etc.

Are we better to elect Hillary and let the people see what damage a liberal can do or do we want a liberal pretending to be conservative and further damaging our cause? We will then get a really bad liberal to follow him.

Actually - I think McCain will win. He might not get strong conservative suport, but he will win the "Independent vote" taking it away from the Dem candidate.

If McCain loses - then Limbaugh and the conservative "stay-at-at-homes" will be responsible for puting Hillary in the WhiteHouse. It is a strange coincidence that it is Limbaugh that blames Perot voters for puting Bill Clinton into the WhiteHouse, and here those folks are ready to stay at home while Hillary ascends to her throne .... except that McCain will defeat Hillary.

37
posted on 01/30/2008 10:03:49 AM PST
by rface
(I would never vote for a RINO - That's why Ann Coulter and I endorse Mitt Romney)

Its painful watching the GOP commit suicide. But it stopped being a Reagan party of limited government for sometime now. McCain with his global warming, high tax and Open Borders policies isn't that much of an improvement over Hillary Clinton.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

...the only thing I remember about the WOT is chase OBL to the ends of the earth talk...

IIRC Obama made the similar statement that he would pursue OBL even into Pakistan. It drew loud and long cries of "invading a friendly country" and swift condemnation of his strategery. McCain says "to the ends of the earth" (which means exactly the same to me) and we are all suppose to applaud! What's the difference?

Who do you think the MSM will side with? They're behind McCain because they know he can be beaten. As soon as Hillary is nominated, they will declare open warfare on him. It didn't matter when he stabbed conservatives in the back. Its just going to be sweet to see the MSM stick the knife in McCain's back and watch the water churn.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

In the words of a grat American:
John McCain, you treasonous bastard, How dare you even think that you are qualified to sit in the oval office! Ronald Reagan’s office! President? Hah! You miserable excuse for a two-bit political hack, you’re not even qualified to shine Ronald Reagan’s boots. If you do run, I’m afraid you’re gonna be at least one vote short. It’ll be a cold day in hell before a traitor like you ever receives my vote. And that’s a campaign promise you can take to the bank.

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